Helmet

ABSTRACT

A helmet for work or sports including a structure having a substantially convex outer surface and a substantially concave inner surface; a protective body having a first portion engageable to the inner surface and a second portion having at least one concavity adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user. The helmet includes a coupling mechanism operatively interposed between the structure and the protective body to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling seat; a coupling element engaging the coupling seat so that the protective body can be positioned according to at least two different positions with respect to the structure of the helmet.

The present invention relates to a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports.

The object of the present invention belongs to the field of helmets, headpieces and/or similar safety protective headgears which can be used during the performing of dangerous and risky activities, such as those carried out in construction sites, mines, oil platforms, by fire-fighters, by first aid providers, by mountain climbers or those carried out in any field where it is necessary to protect the head of the users. The object of the present invention is also suitable to be applied in the field of sports helmets, such as for example those intended for cycling, horse riding, skiing and for any other sports activity requiring the use of helmets.

As known, protective helmets for work generally comprise a structure having at least one convex outer surface and at least one concave inner surface adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user.

The inner surface of the helmet structure is usually equipped with a protective body made of a material suitable for shock and impacts absorption, such as polystyrene.

Generally, the protective bodies of the aforementioned helmets are made by molding in a single polystyrene monobloc which has a predetermined density on all parts of the protective body.

The protective bodies are usually engaged to the helmet structure by means of special interlocks so as to be removable if necessary.

Although the helmets described above provide for the removable engagement of the respective protective bodies, the Applicant has found that they are not free from some drawbacks and can be improved under various respects, mainly in relation to the practicality and ease of assembly and disassembly of the protective bodies with respect to the structure of the helmet, as well as the adjustment of the positions of the protective bodies with respect to the structure of the helmet.

The main object of the present invention is to propose a helmet which allows the assembly and disassembly of the protective body with respect to the structure in an easy, practical and rapid way.

It is also an object of the present invention to propose a helmet that allows a simple adjustment of the positions, in particular in height, of the protective body with respect to the structure of the helmet.

The above specified and yet further objects are substantially achieved by a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports, as stated and described in the following claims.

There is now provided, by way of example, the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports.

Such description will be made herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and therefore not limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of a detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the protective body of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded longitudinal section of the protective body of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 2, number 1 generally indicates a helmet, particularly protective helmet for work or sports, according to the present invention.

As visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the helmet 1 comprises a structure 2 having at least one convex outer surface 2 a and at least one concave inner surface 2 b (FIG. 2) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user.

The helmet 1 further comprises at least one protective body 3 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5) made of a material capable of absorbing shocks and impacts, preferably polystyrene.

The protective body 3 has a first portion 3 a engageable to the inner surface 2 b of the structure 2 and at least a second portion 3 b having at least one concavity 3 c (FIGS. 2 and 5) adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user.

For the purposes of the present invention, the protective body 3 can be made in a single piece or in two or more components.

Advantageously, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the protective body 3 comprises a base element 4 made up of a first material suitable for shock and impacts absorption, preferably polystyrene, having a first predetermined density value D1.

As visible in FIGS. 2 and 5, the base element 4 has a concave surface 4 a defining the concavity 3 c of the protective body 3 and at least one housing cavity 4 b facing away with respect to the concave surface 4 a.

As visible in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4 is preferably located on the top of the latter.

More and more in detail, the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4 is defined by a bottom 4 c and by at least one side wall 4 d extending transversely to the bottom 4 c.

The bottom 4 c of the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4 has a substantially circular or oval shape from the periphery of which the side wall 4 d extends.

As visible in the sections shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the concave surface 4 a of the base element 4 is spaced from the bottom 4 c of the respective housing cavity 4 b by an intermediate thickness 4 e of the first material with which the base element 4 is made.

With reference to FIG. 1, the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4 of the protective body 3 and the concavity 3 c of the same are in fluid communication by means of a plurality of aeration through openings 4 f obtained through the thickness of material 4 e, between the bottom 4 c of the housing cavity 4 b and the concave surface 4 a of the base element 4.

The base element 4 also has at least one outer annular portion 4 g and at least one inner annular portion 4 h defining the housing cavity 4 b.

The outer annular portion 4 g and the inner annular portion 4 h are separated by at least one interspace 4 i, preferably a plurality of interspaces 4 i arranged to form substantially a ring.

The outer annular portion 4 g and the inner annular portion 4 h are connected to each other by at least one junction portion 4 j, preferably a plurality of junction portions 4 j, developing radially with respect to the annular portions 4 g, 4 h.

Advantageously, the first density value D1 of the first material with which the base element 4 is made is between 70 g/l and 110 g/l.

As visible in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the protective body 3 further comprises at least one protective insert 5 which is at least partially insertable in the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4.

The protective insert 5 comprises at least a peripheral portion 5 a at least partially, preferably totally, complementarily shaped to the side wall 4 d of the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4.

The protective insert 5 also comprises at least one base portion 5 b arranged to rest on or to lie near the bottom 4 c of the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4.

The protective insert 5 is also provided with at least one head portion 5 c arranged on the opposite side to the base portion 5 b and arranged to rest against or to lie near the concave inner surface 2 b of the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

The protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 has a substantially alveolar structure, provided with a plurality of through and/or blind openings 5 d defined by corresponding partition walls 5 e oriented transversely each other.

Preferably, the protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 is made of a second material for shock and/or impact absorption, advantageously polystyrene, having a second predetermined different density value D2, preferably lower, than the first density value D1 of the first material of the base element 4 of the protective body 3.

In accordance with an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the second density value D2 of the second material with which the protective insert 5 of the protective body 3 is made is between 20 g/l and 40 g/l.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the helmet 1 comprises at least a coupling mechanism 6 (FIGS. 2 and 3) operatively interposed between the structure 2 and the protective body 3 to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure 2.

The coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least one coupling seat 7, preferably made on the protective body and at least one coupling element 8, preferably arranged on the structure 2 of the helmet 1, even more preferably protruding from the inner surface 2 b of the latter.

The coupling element 8 is arranged to engage the coupling seat 7 in such a way that the protective body 3 can be positioned according to at least two different positions, preferably a plurality of different positions, with respect to the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

In detail, the coupling seat 7 and the coupling element 8 of the coupling mechanism 6 are configured so as to allow adjustment, in height, of the protective body 3 with respect to the structure 2 of the helmet 1.

As visible in the enlargement of FIG. 3, the coupling seat 7 of the coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least one cavity 7 a made in the protective body 3 and at least one fixing button 7 b which can be placed inside the cavity 7 a of the coupling seat 7, preferably fixable to the cavity 7 a of the coupling seat 7 in such a way as to remain inside the latter according to a predetermined position.

The fixing button 7 b has a substantially truncated-cone shaped frame on which at least one latching slot 7 c (FIGS. 3 and 5) is obtained, preferably at least partly elastically deformable, due to an engagement, preferably by snap or by interference, of the coupling element 8 of the coupling mechanism 6.

Advantageously, the coupling element 8 comprises at least an engagement pin 8 a provided with two or more surface projections 8 b.

Each surface projection 8 b of the engagement pin 8 a determines a relative position, preferably, in height, between the protective body 3 and the helmet 1 structure 2.

As visible in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the cavity 7 a of the coupling seat 7 is realized on the base element 4 of the protective body 3, preferably on the inner annular portion 4 h of the base element 4.

The cavity 7 a of the coupling seat 7 faces toward the same side as the housing cavity 4 h of the base element 4, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the concave surface 4 a of the latter.

As visible in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the coupling mechanism 6 comprises at least two coupling seats 7 aligned along a longitudinal axis of the protective body 3, disposed respectively in a front portion and in a rear portion of the latter.

Each coupling seat 7 of the coupling mechanism 6 is formed near the housing cavity 4 b of the base element 4 of the protective body 3.

It should be noted that the coupling mechanism 6 described above can be applied both to protective bodies 3 provided with two or more components as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, or to monobloc protective bodies.

The helmet according to the present invention solves the problems observed in the known technique and achieves important advantages.

First of all, through the coupling mechanism the engagement between the protective body and the helmet structure has excellent stability.

It should also be noted that the coupling mechanism allows the assembly or disassembly of the protective body on the helmet structure in an easy, simple and rapid way.

Furthermore, the coupling mechanism between the protective body and the helmet structure allows for an easy and effortless adjustment of the height of the protective body, giving the helmet itself greater adaptability to the size of the user's head. Depending on the size of the user's head, the height adjustment of the protective body prevents the structure of the helmet from reducing the visibility of the user wearing the helmet.

Barzanò & Zanardo Milano S.p.A. 

1. A protective helmet for work or sports, comprising: a structure having at least one substantially convex outer surface and at least one substantially concave inner surface; at least one protective body having a first portion engageable to the inner surface of the structure and at least a second portion having at least one concavity adapted to receive in engagement the head of a user; at least a coupling mechanism operatively interposed between the structure and the protective body to ensure a removable engagement of the latter to the structure of the helmet, the coupling mechanism comprising: at least one coupling seat, realized on the protective body; at least one coupling element, arranged on the structure of the helmet, protruding from an inner surface of the helmet, the coupling element engaging the coupling seat so that the protective body can be positioned according to at least two different positions with respect to the structure of the helmet.
 2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the coupling seat and the coupling element of the coupling mechanism are configured so as to allow a height adjustment of the protective body with respect to the structure of the helmet.
 3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the coupling seat comprises: at least one cavity realized on the protective body; at least one fixing button which can be placed inside the cavity of the coupling seat, fixable to the cavity of the coupling seat, the fixing button presenting at least one hooking slot, at least partly elastically deformable, due to an engagement, with a snap and/or by interference, of the coupling element of the coupling mechanism.
 4. The helmet according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element of the coupling mechanism comprises at least one engagement pin provided with two or more surface reliefs, each surface relief of the engagement pin determining a relative position between the protective body and the structure of the helmet.
 5. The helmet according to claim 4, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least two coupling seats aligned along a longitudinal axis of the protective body, a first coupling seat being arranged in a front portion of the protective body, a second coupling seat being disposed in a rear portion of the protective body, the coupling mechanism comprising a coupling element for each coupling seat made on the protective body.
 6. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective body comprises a base element made up of a first material for absorbing shocks and/or impacts having a first predetermined density value, the base element presenting a concave surface defining the concavity of the protective body and at least one housing cavity facing opposite with respect to the surface concave; a protective insert made up of a second material for absorbing shocks and/or impacts having a second predetermined different density value than the first density value of the first material of the base element, the protective insert being at least partially insertable in the housing cavity of the base element.
 7. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the housing cavity of the base element is defined by a bottom and by at least one side wall extending transversely to the bottom, the concave surface of the base element being spaced from the bottom of the respective housing cavity by an intermediate thickness of the first material.
 8. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the base element comprises: at least one outer annular portion; at least one inner annular portion defining the housing cavity for the protective insert, the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion being separated by at least one interspace, a plurality of cavities arranged substantially according to a ring, the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion being connected by at least one junction portion extending radially to the annular portions, a plurality of junction portions developing radially to the annular portions.
 9. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective insert comprises: at least a peripheral portion at least partially complementarily shaped to the side wall of the housing cavity of the base element; at least one base portion arranged to rest on or to lie near the bottom of the housing cavity of the base element; at least one head portion arranged on the opposite side to the base portion arranged to support against, or to lie near the inner concave surface of the structure of the helmet.
 10. The helmet according to claim 9, wherein the protective insert has a honeycomb structure provided with at least one dividing partition, a plurality of partition walls oriented transversely with respect to one another.
 11. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the first density value of the first material of the base element is between 70 g/l and 110 g/l.
 12. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the second density value of the second material of the protective insert is between 20 g/l and 40 g/l.
 13. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein the cavity of the coupling seat of the coupling mechanism is realized in the base element of the protective body, preferably on the inner annular portion of the latter, the cavity of the coupling seat faces toward the same part of the housing cavity of the base element, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the concave surface of the latter.
 14. The helmet according to claim 6, wherein each coupling seat of the coupling mechanism is realized near the housing cavity of the base element. 